Corrosion crack initiation and propagation in storage tanks under multi-field environments: A review

Abstract

Corrosion cracking in storage tanks presents major safety and environmental risks due to potential leakage. This review synthesizes mechanisms—including electrochemical corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC), and corrosion fatigue—particularly in weldments, bottom plates, and inner walls, under influencing factors such as operational stresses and H₂S/CO₂ presence. Key insights involve CO₂-H₂S competitive-synergistic effects, hydrogen embrittlement, crack-tip strain bursts, and the acceleration of fatigue by fluctuating environments. A coupled mechanical-electrochemical-thermal framework is proposed to interpret synergistic crack initiation and propagation, enabling service life prediction and integrity management prioritization. Current models remain limited, future work should validate this framework with experimental and field data to improve tank integrity strategies.